Jesica Bush
Jesica Bush is a dedicated safety professional and advocate for worker wellbeing, currently serving as Safety Manager in Reno, Nevada. She began her career in 2011 as a union ironworker, gaining firsthand experience in the field and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by construction workers. Her commitment to safety and leadership quickly became evident, and she transitioned into safety management to ensure that every worker goes home safely while fostering a culture of accountability, communication, and moral support on every job site. Her personal journey has profoundly shaped her professional path. After the loss of her mother, Jesica reevaluated her priorities and committed herself to creating safer work environments while supporting the emotional and mental health of her teams. Drawing on her experiences with adversity, addiction, and overcoming trauma, she brings empathy, resilience, and authenticity to her leadership. Jesica’s approach focuses not only on compliance and risk mitigation but also on building caring connections and boosting morale among workers and management alike. Beyond her work in safety, Jesica is the founder of Soul Fire, a coaching initiative dedicated to helping women navigate from survival mode into regulated decisive leadership and the pressures of high-functioning lives. “High- functioning women don’t struggle with ambition, they struggle with safety.” Through mentor coaching and empowerment programs, she guides women to rediscover their identity, purpose, and strength. Jesica’s work bridges her expertise in safety, leadership, and personal development, creating lasting impact in both professional and personal spheres, while leaving a legacy of integrity, optimism, and transformation.
• Food bank volunteering
• Volunteer/speaking and working with troubled youth
• Volunteer/ ANEW
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience, self-reflection, and the willingness to rebuild myself through every season of life. My experiences taught me that adversity can become a powerful teacher, and that growth often comes from the courage to keep moving forward with honesty and purpose.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to stay grounded in who I am, regardless of the room I walk into. When you learn to trust yourself and lead from inner steadiness rather than pressure or fear, your decisions become clearer and your leadership becomes more authentic.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice would be to trust your voice and never underestimate the value of your perspective. In industries that can be demanding or traditionally male-dominated, your confidence, work ethic, and integrity will speak louder than anything else. Stay curious, keep learning, and remember that leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room — it’s about being steady, prepared, and willing to stand by what you know is right.
And never shy away from taking up space in rooms you have earned your way into!
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is sustaining high performance while working in environments that often operate under constant pressure. In industries like construction and safety management, where women are still underrepresented in leadership roles, there can also be the added challenge of navigating traditionally male-dominated spaces while establishing credibility and authority.
At the same time, I see this as a powerful opportunity. Leadership today is evolving, and there is growing recognition that resilience, emotional intelligence, and steadiness under pressure are essential skills. When leaders learn to operate from a place of clarity and inner stability rather than survival mode, they make better decisions and create stronger teams. Being part of that shift toward more balanced and sustainable leadership is something I’m deeply passionate about.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide both my work and personal life are integrity, resilience, compassion, and self-trust. Integrity means staying true to my principles and leading with honesty, even when it’s not the easiest path. Resilience reminds me that growth often comes through life’s most challenging seasons. Compassion allows me to approach others with understanding and empathy, recognizing that everyone is navigating their own journey. And self-trust is something I’ve learned to cultivate over time—it’s the foundation that allows me to lead with confidence and make decisions that align with who I truly am.
Locations
Soul Fire
Reno, WA 89506